ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus, like any chronic medical condition, impacts on quality of life. In one study, at the time of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, 36% of children exhibited significant psychologic distress. Remarkably, however, in 93% this had completely abated 9 months after diagnosis. Not surprisingly, the parents of newly diagnosed children also experience psychologic upset of a temporary nature, more prominent in mothers. Although not established, adults with new-onset type 1 diabetes probably have similar temporary psychologic responses; however, there is apparently little psychologic morbidity in adults associated with the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
